Luss Highland Games

First time since 2015 when I had a slip on the downhill part of the hill race, damaged my knee ligaments and was out for 6 weeks. The games have changed since then, instead of two hill races they run one combined local and open race. I started with the local 90m handicap, coming 4th out of 4, then the local 200 handicap, 3rd out of 4 for a prize! A couple of hours later the hill race with about 18 starters. A lap of the games field to start, a short run along the road to a path that takes us under the A82, through a few fields where the climbing starts, running in about 11th or 12th place, a few just in front begin to take a slight detour following a track round the ferns, I head straight up the hill through them re-joining the track further up. Round the flag at the top and pick up the track for the first part of the descent, manage to pass a couple of guys on the way down, left the track cutting the corner across some tussocks fairly sure those just behind would follow and lose time. Down through the fields no one in front or behind, along the road and a lap of the track, happy to finish 5th overall and second local, another prize.

Luss Highland Games

A bit wet on Saturday morning, began to clear and set off for the Games, two hill races, local and open, a couple of hours apart. Local, only 5 of us, 4 Helensburgh runners and me, started out 5th then moved to fourth as the path turned up. Its a short manic race just keep going as fast as you can to the flag about half way up the hill, turn and thrash your way back, all over in 20 minutes, fourth place for a fiver. It's a couple of hours to the open race, wandered round the Games field, winning a bottle of Malt in the Tombola! The open race, 21 of us set off, about 14th at the top, took a tumble down the swampy stream coming away with a badly twisted knee, kept going and made up half a dozen places on the descent, as usual those unfamiliar get lost. Finished in 34 1/2 mins.

Luss n Dumgoyne

Saturday was this years Highland Games at Luss, went along for the two Hill races, the local one disappointing only two entrants, I was 2nd just inside 19 minutes, too soon after the Open race, 16 started and eventually 16 finished. 3rd in this one in 33 1/2 minutes. Getting changed and they were looking for victims for the 1600m, ok shoes & number back on, first two laps ok, the next three not so good, 5th of 5. Pleasant afternoon followed sitting in the sun watching the games finish up. Sunday and after a working morning drove to Dumgoyne for a couple of hours of grassy undulations, made it to the Earl's Seat this time, 2400' of ascent, 7 miles, just under 2 hours.